Combination vehicle spring, bumper, and shock absorber



June 23, 1 925. 1,543,487

R. H. SEMQNES COMBINATiON VEHICLE SPRING,- BUMPER, AND SHOCK ABSORBER Filed May 19, 1925 WITNESS: INVEIVTOR, 4 5/ v g B'Y Y W, 7

4L; ATTORNEY.

- surface of the rear downward y fitted ,into the recesses Patented. June 23, 1925.

UNITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT E. SEMONES, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

Application filed Kay 19, 1923. Serial No. 640,258.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT H. SEMONES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery" and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combination Vehicle Spring, Bumper, and Shock A b sorber, of which the following is a specification.

It is the principal object of my invention to provide a combination vehicle spring, bumper and shock-absorber that may roe easil applied to an automobile to ease road shoe s andprotect the machine in front and rear collisions. The device is simpledn construction, it is eficient in service, and 1n combining the functions of a spring, bumper and shock-absorber it is quite economical for the motorist.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is a side elevational view of my device applied to the front part of a well known automobile, the front axle being shown in section. F 1gure 2 s a top plan view of the same. Figure 3 1s a bottom plan view of the outer, or bumper receiving, end of the device. And Figure 4 is a front view of my device applied to a well known automobile.

Referrin to the accompanying drawings for a detai ed description of my invention, the numeral 1 designates a top plate or leaf made of cod spring steel, which curves at its front end to provide a 2 and terminates in a The leaf clip-receivin recess semicircular umper-receiving part 3. numeral 4 designates a similar plate or which curves upwardly at its front end to provide a clip-receiving recess 5 and termimates in a semicircular bumper receivingpart 6. Theparts 3 and 6 of the leaves 1 and a respectively are tightly drawn against a bumper rod 7 by a spring clip 8 which Is 2 and 5 of them. (See Figures 1 and 2).

Fitted between the spring leaves 1 and 4 is a U-shaped spring leaf 9 whose lower rear end 10 is made slightly convex to rest upon the top of an axle 11, which in the present instance is the front axle of a well known automobile. Secured against the bottom top 'part of the spring leaf 9, by means of a clip 12, is a spring leaf 13 which terminates at its rear end in a sleeve portion 14 which receives a bolt 15.

Mounted on the ends of the bolt 15, one

absorber and a bumper rod support.

between the head of the bolt and the sleeve portion of the leaf 13, and the other between the latter and a nut 16 on the end of the bolt, are two upwardly projecting arms 17, 17 which straddle the ends of the spring leaves 1 and 9. Carried by the upper ends of these arms 17, 17 is a bolt 18 to which is secured the rear knuckle end 19 of a short plate 20. The latter contains a central hole 21 to receive the lower threaded end 22 of a lamp post 230m a well known car, to which said plate is firmly secured by a nut 24. (See Figures 1 and 4). However, this plate may be secured to any other suitable projecting element on the automobile.

Secured against the bottom surface of the rear part of the spring leaf 4:, by a spring clip 25, is a short bracing leaf 26. Mounted upon the convex end 10 of the spring leaf 9 1s a convex apron piece 27 over which the top of a clip 28 fits to firmly secure the spring structure just described to the axle 11. (See Figures 1, 2 and 3).

My spring structure just described is so constructed that it may be easil applied to an automobile to act as an e cient shock The spring leaves are so arranged as to stron ly resist the sudden rebound that is usually incident to the springs of automobiles when an obstruction or depression in the road is encountered by the wheels thereof. Furthermore, the extension and formation of the spring leaves 1 and 4 to support a bumper rod'at their front ends, adds to my spring structure a function which is usually pro vided by a separate device. Therefore, in combining the functions of a spring, bumper and shock-absorber, my device is economical as well as efiicient.

I do not wish to be limited to the details of construction and arrangement herein shown and described, and any changes or modifications may be made therein within the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A structure of the type described comprising a pair of outwardly projecting superimposed leaf springs, a resilient bracing element secured between said springs, the latter terminating at their front ends in bumper receiving portions, and a bumper rod secured between said portions.

2. A structure of the type described comprising a pair of outwardly projecting superimposed leaf springs, a U-shaped spring secured between said springs, the latter terminating at their front ends in bumper receiving portions, and a bumper rod secured between said portions.

3. A structure of the ty described comprising a air of outwar 1y projecting superimpose leaf springs, means for securing the rear end of the top spring to the bod of an automobile, means for securin the ottom spring to the axle thereof, said springs curving toward each other at their front ends and terminatin in semi-circular bumper receiving portions, and a bumper rod secured between said portions.

4. A structure of the t e described comprising a air of outwar 1y projecting superimpose leaf springs, a bumper rod secured between the outer ends of the latter, a U-shaped sprin secured between said leaf springs, a short le under side of the rear end 'of the U-shaped spring, upwardly projectin arms pivotally secured to the rear end 0 the short leaf spring, a plate, pivotally secured between the upper ends of said arms for attachment 25 tothe body of an automobile, and a clip for securing the rear ends of the lower leaf spring and the U-shaped spring to the axle of said automobile.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 30 my hand this 18th day of May, 1923.

ROBERT H; SEMONES. Witness:

HOWARD S. SMITH.

af spring secured to the 20' 

